Grape berry moth
- Pronunciation
- /GRAYP BERR-ee MOTH/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- grape berry moth
- Plural
- grape berry moths
Definition
A small tortricid (Paralobesia viteana) native to eastern North America and western Colorado whose larvae tunnel into developing grape berries, causing direct fruit damage and secondary by fungi and bacteria; a primary pest of cultivated grapes (Vitis spp.) requiring integrated management in commercial viticulture.
Etymology
derived from association (grape) and larval habit of feeding within berries; formerly placed in Endopiza.
Example
In Finger Lakes vineyards, grape berry are monitored using traps to time applications before larvae enter berries, as once inside the fruit they are protected from contact sprays.
Synonyms
- Paralobesia viteana
- Endopiza viteana
Related Terms
- Tortricidae
- Lobesia botrana
- Integrated Pest Management
- pheromone trap
- vineyard ecology
- internal feeder
Usage Notes
The synonym Endopiza viteana appears frequently in older literature but was superseded by Paralobesia viteana following taxonomic revision (Brown 2006). Not to be confused with the European grapevine (Lobesia botrana), a related tortricid pest of Old World vineyards.